Having spent 12 years working at the Bucks County Courier Times, I’m quite familiar with the divisions and disparities that exist throughout the county, from the densely populated working class Philadelphia suburbs of Lower Bucks, to the rural stretches of Upper Bucks that border Lehigh and Northampton counties.

After I left the news organization in early 2019, those divisions and disparities only seemed to widen. Look no further than the political battles that engulfed the Central Bucks School District, the third-largest school district in the state, where disputes over COVID-19 pandemic-era school policies, book bannings, and other culture war topics became flashpoints in the county’s broader political divide.

Now, a five-part docuseries examining the political divisions that shaped Bucks County in the years following the 2020 election is set to air on PBS in September.

Directed by Barry Levinson and Robert May, “Bucks County, USA” was filmed over four years, and follows two then-14-year-old best friends, Evi and Vanessa, whose parents hold opposing political views. Through their friendship, the film will explore how the political conflicts playing out in their community affected families and relationships beyond contentious school board meetings.

Learn more about the docuseries and watch the trailer here.

In Monday’s newsletter, we took a look at where the gubernatorial candidates stand on Pennsylvania’s property taxes, which are currently the 12th highest in the nation.

A majority of a homeowner’s property tax bill goes toward funding Pennsylvania’s public schools, and those rates are set by local school boards. So I’ve heard from many older Pennsylvanians who are frustrated that they’re still forced to pay school taxes when they no longer have children enrolled in them.

I’ve also heard from many residents who see no reason why older homeowners should be exempt from school taxes, arguing that funding education benefits everyone, and should therefore be everyone’s responsibility.

People in both camps have chimed in on our QOTW: If you could make one change to Pennsylvania’s property tax system, what would it be?

Here’s what readers are saying:

“Increase sales tax to 7% and eliminate property tax on seniors over 65 on their primary residence. By increasing the sales tax, everyone pays. Also property taxes inhibit the economy. People are afraid to do improvements to their home because they fear their property taxes will go up.”  — Ed Miller, Lehighton

“I don’t agree that property taxes should be eliminated. The services they fund benefit all members of the commonwealth. However, I do believe some relief should be given to seniors living on fixed incomes. The idea that those without children (in schools) shouldn’t have to pay property taxes is ludicrous and selfish thinking. Every one of those persons so adamant that they shouldn’t have to pay school taxes because they don’t have children received their own education at the cost of their parents’ generation. Our responsibility is to produce productive, well-rounded citizens.” — Ann, Red Lion

“Eliminate the [property tax] exceptions on churches, universities, nonprofits, state and local government properties—all of them. You own property, you pay the tax. Then use that additional income to offer rebates to elderly and disabled veterans.” — Shane, Selinsgrove

“Owner-occupant property should be taxed on the purchase price, adjusted for inflation. Just because a neighborhood has gentrified does not mean an older resident is any more able to pay a higher tax. The increased equity is only realized upon the sale of the property, and that is where it should be taxed. Additionally, property tax is a terrible way to fund schools. Rich neighborhoods get good schools while poor neighborhoods get bad schools. Schools should be paid for out of the state’s general funds.” — Mark, Pittsburgh 

“I would eliminate property tax, especially school tax, for those over 65. Our school tax goes up almost every year. They closed all the local elementary schools and built one big school plus a ‘Taj Mahal’ high school. They are taxing seniors out of their homes and discouraging young people from moving here.” — Vanna, Penn Hills

What’s one change you would make to Pennsylvania’s property tax system? Reply with your answer and please let us know where you live.

Crowds fill west Perry Square during opening night of CelebrateErie in Erie on Aug. 15, 2025. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire returns to Manheim on Saturday, with its usual array of jousting knights, costumed villagers, magic acts, and other daily attractions and themed restaurants. 

While the Ren Faire says hello, the Chinese Lantern Festival says goodbye in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, across the state, Erie’s annual summer celebration runs through the weekend.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening around the state this weekend.

Chinese Lantern Festival – Philadelphia

Dates: through Sunday, Aug. 16

Now in its ninth year, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival has become a seasonal staple for locals and tourists, transforming historic Franklin Square into a luminous wonderland. This will be your last chance until next summer to witness over a thousand handcrafted lanterns depicting intricate scenes from enchanted forests to the underwater world, along with the festival’s centerpiece, a 200-foot-long dragon.

CelebrateErie – Erie

Dates: Aug. 14-16

CelebrateErie is the Erie region’s largest festival, a three-day event celebrating—what else?—the culture, food, and community of “The Gem City.” The festival brings dozens of live performances, food vendors, and activities to downtown Erie, with easy access to festival events at the Erie Art Museum, expERIEnce Children’s Museum, and a number of downtown businesses.

Gettysburg Brewfest & Trail 5K – Gettysburg

Date: Saturday, Aug. 15

History meets hops at the Gettysburg Brewfest, with more than 40 types of beer, ciders, and cocktails available to sample from more than a dozen brewers. Held at Historic Daniel Lady Farm, the festival also features live music, food, house and barn tours, and a scenic 5K trail race through the stone roads, grass paths, and woods of the 200-plus-acre property.  

Oddities & Curiosities Expo – Oaks

Dates: Aug. 15-16

It’s going to get weird when the Oddities & Curiosities Expo sets up shop at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center this weekend. The traveling showcase of all things weird features dozens of vendors and artists offering everything from taxidermy, preserved specimens, and handcrafted oddities to horror-inspired art, vintage antiques, creepy clothing, unusual jewelry, animal skulls, and funeral collectables.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire

Dates: Aug. 15-Oct. 25

Huzzah! The largest and oldest Ren faire in the state returns this weekend. The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire attracts more than 150,000 people each year to its grounds at Mount Hope Estate and Winery in Manheim, where Renaissance enthusiasts can lean into the opportunity to travel back in time to the 1500s and eat a giant turkey leg in public free of judgment.

• Amid a major expansion of ICE’s workforce and immigration enforcement nationwide, the agency is seeking 60 parking spaces in Pittsburgh, though federal officials have not said whether the request reflects an increase in local enforcement activity. Find out more here.

• Even as homicides have fallen to near historic lows statewide, law enforcement officials say they still face numerous challenges. Find out what they are in this story.

• State Attorney General Dave Sunday has filed suit against TikTok, claiming the social media platform is “intentionally designed […] to be addictive” to Pennsylvania’s youth. Get the details here.

Wayne Burg at Masonic Village in Elizabethtown. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

York County resident Wayne Burg has had his share of adventures in his nine decades on the planet. 

He chased humpback whales in the Sea of Cortez. He’s cross-country skied in Yellowstone during the winter. He endured survival training in Escalante in southern Utah when he was about 50, learning to live off the land on a solo excursion into the wilderness.

Now that he’s 90, he’s ready for the next adventure. He recalled that the elder former President George H.W. Bush marked his 80th birthday by skydiving. 

He thought, “Why not?” 

So this Saturday, Burg will be embarking on a tandem jump from an airplane in Lancaster County.

Learn more about Burg and his pending latest adventure in this story.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from USA Today via Reuters Connect, Halle Stockton of Pittsburgh’s Public Source, and Whitney Downard of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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